Lady Wray, courtesy Big Crown Records.
The Yerba Buena Gardens Festival will return this spring with a wide-ranging 2026 season featuring more than 100 free performances spanning music, dance, theater, film and literary arts.
Running from May through November in downtown San Francisco, the festival’s 26th season continues its mission of presenting accessible, multidisciplinary programming rooted in community, culture and global artistry.
The season opens May 9 with a salsa dance party led by Hermán Olivera y Orquesta Taíno, joined by Oakland’s Batey Tambó and KALW DJ Wonway Posibul — setting the tone for a summer built on movement, collaboration and cross-cultural exchange.
This year’s festival is dedicated to longtime producer Marcelo Avilés, whose more than two decades of work supporting Bay Area artists helped shape the event’s identity. Avilés passed away in January.
Herman Olivera, courtesy.
“This season is a celebration and a bright beacon of joy amidst dark and heavy times,” festival Managing Director Cristina Ibarra said over email. “There is nothing more important right now than gathering together in community and no better place to do that than at Yerba Buena Gardens Festival as we will present over 100 events that cross genres, styles and audiences.”
Across the season, programming reflects both local and international voices. Highlights include Ethiopian keyboard legend Hailu Mergia, Los Angeles collective Las Cafeteras and soul artist Lady Wray, along with a late-summer set pairing Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical.
The lineup also leans heavily into cultural festivals and community-driven programming, including the 33rd annual Pistahan, the Native Contemporary Arts Festival and the African Arts Festival, alongside Pride celebrations and Indigenous Peoples Day programming featuring Jeremy Dutcher.
Dance remains a central pillar of the festival. Returning programs include YBG ChoreoFest, a two-weekend showcase of site-specific works, and Yerba Buena Gardens Dance Day, which transforms the space into an open-air studio. Weekly classes and the Salsa Night series continue throughout the summer, blending performance with participation.
Film, theater and interdisciplinary work also play a major role, from outdoor movie nights to performances by the San Francisco Mime Troupe and Circus Bella.
The festival’s long-running Thursday Lunchtime Concert Series returns with a mix of local and international artists, while the Children’s Garden Series offers weekly interactive performances for families throughout the summer. Literary programming includes Poetic Tuesdays and outdoor workshops curated by poet Nia Pearl.
All events remain free and open to the public, continuing the festival’s role as one of San Francisco’s most accessible cultural offerings.
RIFF is one of the sponsors of the festival in 2026, alongside KALW, 7×7, Coyote Media and BART.
Reyna Tropical performs during Festival La Onda at the Napa Valley Expo on June 1, 2025. Mariana Garcia/STAFF.
Yerba Buena Gardens Festival programming highlights
May
Hermán Olivera y Orquesta Taíno, opening sets from Batey Tambó and KALW DJ Wonway Posibul, Saturday, May 9, 2 p.m.
Hailu Mergia, opening sets from Howard Wiley and KALW DJ Charlotte K, Saturday, May 16, 2 p.m. (pre-show at 1 p.m.)
Las Cafeteras, opening sets from Discos Resaca Collective and KALW DJ Margarita Azucar, Saturday, May 23, 2 p.m. (pre-show at 1 p.m.)
June
Gamelan Sekar Jaya, Saturday, June 6, 2 p.m.
Pride in Yerba Buena! feat. Per Sia, Sunday, June 7, 2 p.m.
All-Native Comedy Night: Good Medicine, Friday, June 12, 8 p.m.
27th Annual Native Contemporary Arts Festival, Saturday, June 20, 12 p.m.
Circus Bella’s AH HA!, Friday, June 26, 12 p.m. and Saturday, June 27, 12 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.
July
SF Uke Jam’s Summer Uke-splosion, Saturday, July 4, 12 p.m.
SF Mime Troupe, Sunday, July 5, 2 p.m. (pre-show music 1:30 p.m.)
Lady Wray, opening sets from Sundra Manning & KALW DJ, Saturday, July 11, 2 p.m. (pre-show at 1 p.m.)
Voices of Resistance Presented by Indigenous Justice, Sunday July 12, 12 p.m.
YBG ChoreoFest, Saturday, July 25 and Aug. 1, 2 p.m.
August
Color Your Mind Festival, Sunday, Aug. 2, 12 to 5 p.m.
33rd Annual Pistahan, Saturday, Aug. 8 and Sunday, Aug. 9, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Helado Negro + Reyna Tropical, opening sets from Camilo y Los Cruzers and KALW DJ Wonway Posibul, Saturday, Aug. 15, 2 p.m. (pre-show at 1 p.m.)
September and October
Yerba Buena Movie Night + KALW DJ Eryka, Saturday, Sept. 5, 7 p.m.
7th Annual African Arts Festival, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2 p.m.
Follow the Music feat. Oakland Rising, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2 p.m.
Yerba Buena Gardens Dance Day, Sunday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Indigenous Peoples Day with Jeremy Dutcher, Monday, Oct. 12, 12 to 4 p.m.
Joe Bataan, opening sets from MeloDious and KALW DJ Marcus, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2 p.m. (pre-show at 1 p.m.)
Afro-Filipino Jazz Project, Saturday, Oct. 24, 2 p.m.
26th Annual Halloween Hoopla, Saturday, Oct. 31, 12 p.m.
NOVEMBER programs to be announced
Programs & Series
Thursday Lunchtime Concert Series takes place on Thursdays from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and features local and international performers including Aireene & The Itch on May 14, Larry & Joe on May 21, Community Music Center Neighborhood Choirs on May 28, Camellia Boutros on June 11, Destiny Muhammad Trio on July 2, Mae Powell on July 9, LA GENTE on July 16, Iwa Daiko on July 23, Women’s Audio Mission Presents: Local Sirens on July 30, AfroSolo presents Fely Tchaco on Aug. 6, Brazil in the Gardens with Alexandre Ribeiro and Allesandro Penezzi on Aug. 13, Quinteto Latino on Oct. 8, and Richard Howell on Oct. 15.
About The Author
